Late to the party. Tell me about the Browning Hi Power

jacotsmith

jacotsmith

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Hi everyone,

I think I've owned over 50 handguns now over the years and the Browning Hi Power really never caught my eye until recently. I remember it in Eddy Murphy movies and 80s private #### TV shows as a kid but I got to handle a friend's at the range a while back and I haven't been able to shake the feeling it stirred in me.

So what can you tell me? What do you have to spend to get a shooter (not a looker)? What are the clones like (FEG, Canuck, etc.)?

I think the commander style hammer would be a must as the standard one looks lethal if you've got big mitts.

What do I need to know about mags and other accessories? What's the verdict on the fixed sights vs. adjustable?

What else?

Thanks team!
 
The Browning and Inglis guns are great. They are the guns to buy. Will hold their value . Everyone makes
magazines and accessories for these guns
 
The standard hammer won't hurt if you hold the gun properly. (Bonus, if you don't hold the gun properly, it will teach you to.)
 
Good ergos, full metal so fantastic when it comes to recoil, great history, tried and tested in battle, high resale value and the one gun I enjoy carrying around on the range and on base because of how thin it is. I believe that it is even thinner than most if not all full size polymer guns. Makes my 92 and px4 feel like tanks! Lol
 
I've got a FEG clone. Great gun, but hard to get parts for. Norinco also makes a Hi Power clone. Don't know much about them, but Marstar is always sold out, been trying to get one off them for years and they are always out of stock. Guess that means they must be OK and people grab them them when they can.
 
If you can, find a Mk.III Practical. Has the rounded Commander hammer and a two tone finish. IMO the nicest looking HP out there. The only drawbacks are the mag disconnect safety and the heavy gritty stock trigger.
The Browning mags also don't drop free. They have a weird spring mechanism to help but they still hang up.
Accuracy is good and reliability is fine also. I've owned a Mk3 for close to 30 years. One of my keepers...unless I can find a Practical!
 
I have a few Hi Powers. The mag disconnect is pretty easy to remove and doing so does improve the trigger. I've done it to all but my Inglis. As a bonus the spring loaded mags on my MK III practically fly out with it gone.:d

FWIW I've never had a problem with hammer bite from any of them.
 
I inherited a 1968 "T"-series HP that my Father bought new in the '70s.
It's seen less than 200rnds over its life. The slide feels like it's on ball bearings. The bluing is top notch. One of my Never Sells......
DSCN1320_zpsda1ec637.jpg
 
Thanks everyone for your responses so far.

I missed out on a Canadian Inglis on the EE by a hair last night. Was negotiating terms of payment when someone else came along with EMT ready to go (curses!).

Anyway, I've also got my eye on a 1966 serial number commercial model with one mag and really nice finish for something even older than me, but it's not cheap. Brand new models go for about $1150 at my LGS, and this oldie I'm eying is asking $1000.

What kind of money are you guys into yours for?
 
My convinced my Dad to buy a friend's newer mk3 as he was moving out of the country, was a great deal at $600 with 9 mags haha, Ok ended up buying a friend's old beat up 79 that was missing a rear sight and had some bent pins for $400, did a complete overhaul on it other than the barrel, they are both shooters and won't get sold, I would highly recommend, I'll post a photo of my overhauled one.
 
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MkIII HP's have a firing pin safety and better sights as well as useable safety levers.
Current guns are available with paint or high polish blue with fixed or adjustable sights.
I would have a hard time paying more than 750.00 for a used HP
that will need to an ambi safety and a trigger job.
I preferred to upgrade an older pistol, next time who knows.
more info http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/HiPowerComments.html
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[/URL][/IMG]
 
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It's a classic design, very reliable, accurate enough with the best ergos I've ever found in a pistol. Downsides are the magazine disconnect, stock trigger pull on most of the new ones, and hammer bite for those with thick hands.

All of the above downsides can be corrected by a good gunsmith, however you then end up with a hefty price tag for a service pistol. Then again, I've seen some $3k + Glocks these days so who knows.
 
BR427 said:
Norinco also makes a Hi Power clone. Don't know much about them, but Marstar is always sold out, been trying to get one off them for years and they are always out of stock. Guess that means they must be OK and people grab them them when they can.
Click to expand...

That really means MarStar doesn't have any and won't be getting more. They are a FEG clone. You're not missing anything. They are big, crude, and have very sharp edges. Sold mine after only having it for a month. Worst Norc I have ever owned, and I have owned more than a few.

M
 
jacotsmith said:
Thanks everyone for your responses so far.

I missed out on a Canadian Inglis on the EE by a hair last night. Was negotiating terms of payment when someone else came along with EMT ready to go (curses!).

Anyway, I've also got my eye on a 1966 serial number commercial model with one mag and really nice finish for something even older than me, but it's not cheap. Brand new models go for about $1150 at my LGS, and this oldie I'm eying is asking $1000.

What kind of money are you guys into yours for?
Click to expand...

Mine is blued and wood with target sights (i.e. adjustable rear), Made in Belgium, Assembled in Portugal and some say that means the finish isn't as good as the one's completed in Belgium, those must be amazing because mine has as nice a finish as I've seen on anything in person. It sat on the EE for a while and I'd have paid the asking of $750 right away if I'd had it, but eventually it came down to $650 and I couldn't wait any longer. I've seen them sit for a while at good prices like that and I've seen them sell quickly at $800+. It depends on who happens to decide they want one when someone else wants to sell. Decide what you are willing to pay for which version and keep your eyes open.
 
The trigger is disgusting for a gun that costs over a grand new. Why the Standard, with target sights, comes with a mag safety boggles the mind. You need an arbor press to get the trigger pin out (to remove said safety) too, or a big hammer and a small punch. The cupboard door wood grips fit the hand as well as a glock.

But it is an iconic pistol, my 11 pound trigger is now just under 6, and VZ now has excellent palm swell BHP stocks

My Inglis still has a disgusting trigger, but that one will stay that way, out of respect for history.
 
Over the years I've had a chance to buy several Hi-Powers and even flipped a few including an Inglis. And considering that I'm a real 1911 fan and they share several features with the Hi-Power the Browning has just never turned my crank. Obviously they are a fine, dependable design but I never found them comfortable to hold. I have fairly large hands so the double stack design is not an issue but somehow they just feel too 'square' in my hand. I also like adjustable sights on my guns and the ones available for the Hi-Power always seemed to sit so high and look awkward. I also like to do a little bit of customizing and the variety of options for the Browning anyways seemed a little sparse but maybe because I was comparing it to the huge amount of stuff available for the 1911. Nice gun but just not my thing.

Like any gun pick it up, handle it, shoot it and if it fits you, buy it. Everyone's taste is different.
 
johNTO said:
I inherited a 1968 "T"-series HP that my Father bought new in the '70s.
It's seen less than 200rnds over its life. The slide feels like it's on ball bearings. The bluing is top notch. One of my Never Sells......
DSCN1320_zpsda1ec637.jpg
Click to expand...

Very nice, I have a '59 HP, bought it unfired and have only put a box through it.
 
sailor723 said:
If the OP is still looking there are a couple of new ones on the EE for a good deal right now.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...lvestre-Sporting-Goods-Browning-Hi-Power-Sale

As to the pistols themselves, I have mine because I like their look and they are an iconic service gun....not because they are particularly great to shoot.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I saw that earlier. If I take the plunge I will likely buy an older model for the cool factor, as many here have posted there is no shortage of selection of modern pistols in that price range.

On another note, I don't remember my friend's model (which got me thinking about picking one up and led to starting this thread) being all that heavy. In fact I remember remarking how "light" it was, but maybe that was more a matter of balance. However looking at its stats online it is definitely a heavy gun! Just goes so show that everything is relative and all kinds of things can influence perception.
 
jacotsmith said:
Thanks, I saw that earlier. If I take the plunge I will likely buy an older model for the cool factor, as many here have posted there is no shortage of selection of modern pistols in that price range.

On another note, I don't remember my friend's model (which got me thinking about picking one up and led to starting this thread) being all that heavy. In fact I remember remarking how "light" it was, but maybe that was more a matter of balance. However looking at its stats online it is definitely a heavy gun! Just goes so show that everything is relative and all kinds of things can influence perception.
Click to expand...

I don't blame you. I'd look for a pre 80's gun if I were you. I have a 1977 with the beer can target sights and the fit and finish are very nice. My MK III is a 2003. I mostly bought it because it's chambered in .40 S&W and thus a bit unusual. I don't , however, care for it's looks as much as the older guns. My last BHP is an early Chinese contract Inglis.....no explanation needed as to why I grabbed that when it came along ;)

Be careful if you get one....they can become addictive. :)
 

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